The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : Pondy to encourage labour-intensive units

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Thursday, Mar 24, 2005

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Pondy to encourage labour-intensive units

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, MARCH 23. The Territorial administration is tackling unemployment and poverty through planned development, the Lieutenant Governor, M.M. Lakhera, said today.

Presenting his maiden address at the commencement of the Assembly budget session, Mr. Lakhera (who assumed office in June last) said the Government was keen on encouraging labour-intensive and pollution-free small and medium scale industrial units.

Sectoral investments would lead to accelerated economic growth and create more employment opportunities, he hoped.

Employment report

``We propose to engage a consultant to prepare a project report identifying the options for achieving full employment by 2015.''

The Planning Commission assured Pondicherry all help to tap financial assistance within and outside the country for upgrading infrastructure, which would lead to better economic activities. The Commission had enhanced Central assistance for Plan schemes. It allowed a Plan size of Rs. 810 crores for 2005-2006, up from the budgeted outlay of Rs. 461 crores for the current year. The allocation for the next year included Rs. 100 crores for reconstruction and development of infrastructure in the tsunami-hit areas.

The Commission had identified the Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai, for preparing the State Development report for Pondicherry covering the power, tourism, industry and agriculture sectors. It would also address the fiscal situation, restructuring of public sector undertakings, integrated development of villages and programmes for reduction of unemployment and poverty.The institute began the work in association with the Institute of Financial Management and Research, Chennai, and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. The report was likely to be finalised in four months.

An action plan was drawn up to increase exports from the Union Territory from Rs. 470 crores to 1,000 crores by 2007.

A committee would be constituted to ensure that the quantum of financial assistance was uniform in identical schemes though implemented by different departments to cover different target groups and to avoid duplication.

Airport expansion

Mr. Lakhera said there was a proposal to acquire land for extending the runway at the Pondicherry airport next year. A techno-feasibility report on setting up an airport at Karaikal was also being prepared.

Infrastructure at the Pondicherry port would be strengthened with public-private participation. A port was also notified at Karaikal.

The Government had requested the Railways to speed up work on a new line between Karaikal and Nagoor. It was extending assistance in land acquisition.

Speaker M.D.R. Ramachandran later read out the Tamil version of the 45-minute address.

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